Desire for Weight Gain and Potential Risks of Adolescent Males Using Anabolic Steroids

Abstract

This study examined the perceptions of adolescent males regarding their physical strength, health status, and desire to gain weight and their perceptions of anabolic steroid use. Subjects were 12th-grade boys ( N = 3403), drawn from a pool of 150 high schools nationwide, who completed a health questionnaire. Analysis indicated 47.0% ( n = 1475) who wanted to gain weight, perceived themselves as of less than average strength and having good health, and were sports participants. Also, among those who desired weight gain, about 24% ( n = 345) were not sure about the most dangerous health risks associated with anabolic steroid use, and 16% ( n = 221) did not want to see the use of anabolic steroids in sports stopped. The findings indicate that adolescent boys, who desired weight gain and currently abstained from anabolic steroid use, might be at risk for becoming users.